The busy Feinsand also reported, “Michael King appears to be the most likely to sign next, with suitors including the Yankees, Red Sox, Orioles, Cubs and Mets. The belief is that King will sign a deal for four years, while the other top starters – namely Framber Valdez, Tatsuya Imai and Ranger Suárez – are looking for at least five years.”
King previously suited up for the Yankees, mostly as a reliever, before moving to San Diego as a starter. The 2024 season saw him finish seventh place in the AL Cy Young race.
He played only 15 games for the Padres in 2025 amid injury, but still managed a 5-3 record, with 76 strikeouts and a 3.44 ERA.
A better pitcher than his earned run average from a season ago would suggest, he is among the most intriguing starter options available and would improve the starting rotations of any team with which he signs, especially the Orioles, Cubs, and Mets, who are arguably worse off at that particular area than the Yankees and Red Sox.
A reunion with the Yankees would give him his best chance to win now, but he could mean more, and compete in less hitter-friendly parks, in Queens and Baltimore.
Prediction: King signs with the Orioles, who have been among the most aggressive teams this offseason
